The three players join for the 2011 season onwards; Second Row Forward Ryan Hoffman has signed a one-year contract (2011) with a second year option, Half-Back Brett Finch has agreed a two-year deal (2011 and 2012) whilst Prop Forward Jeff Lima joins for three years (2011, 2012 and 2013).

 

Wigan Warriors Head Coach, Michael Maguire, is delighted to secure the three players:

 

“Having worked with Ryan, Brett and Jeff during my time at Melbourne I am thrilled that they will be joining us from next season. All three are champion players with experience at the very highest level. They all have a great work ethic and are top quality additions who will complement our existing playing squad.

 

“Ryan will provide us with a massive presence in the back row whilst Jeff is a powerhouse who will lead from the front. Brett has great skills, a good kicking game and is a good organiser on the field who will provide us with more options between the half back and hooking roles.”

 

Wigan Warriors Chairman, Ian Lenagan, added:

 

“I am delighted that the Wigan Club has been able to attract players of such quality to the engage Super League. They are all in the prime of their careers and are hungry for success with us. Wigan continues to have a great reputation in Australia and the decision of these three players to join us again demonstrates our ability to attract the best players in the sport.

 

“Their presence will also offer mature experience and a winning culture in direct support of the young players in our squad such as Stefan Marsh, Chris Tuson, Liam Farrell, Lee Mossop, Ben Davies and Joe Mellor together with the other excellent Wigan prospects coming through towards the First Team.”

 

“We have always said that the Wigan strategy is to bring through and retain talented young players from within our Scholarship and Academy and complement them with a limited number of world-class overseas players. These signings are entirely consistent with that policy.”

 

“I am also proud to note that 11 of our 17-man squad playing against Warrington last Friday were Wigan-trained or Wigan-born”

 

26 year old Hoffman has played four times for Australia and earned five New South Wales, State of Origin caps having spent all his career at the Melbourne Club.

 

Brett Finch, 28, made his first Grade debut in 1999 for Canberra and has since played for Sydney Roosters (03-06) and Parramatta (07-09) before joining Melbourne in April 2009. During his career Brett has played three times for New South Wales.

 

Jeff Lima, 28, has played six test matches for New Zealand having started his career at West Tigers. He then had a brief spell in France before joining the Storm in 2006.

 

Player Facts

 

Ryan Hoffman

 

DOB                                       26/01/84

Height                                   192cm

Weight                                 103kg

Position                                Second Row

Rep Honours                      NSW (5), Australia (4), City Origin (3)

Previous Clubs                  Melbourne (2003-10)

First Grade Debut            Manly v Melbourne (20/04/03)

 

Brett Finch

 

DOB                                       20/08/81

Height                                   183cm

Weight                                 89kg

Position                                Stand-Off/ Scrum-Half

Rep Honours                      NSW (3), NRL All-Stars (1), Country Origin (2)

Previous Clubs                  Canberra (1999-2002), Sydney Roosters (2003-2006), Parramatta (2007-2009), Melbourne (2009-2010)

First Grade Debut             Canberra v Melbourne (04/06/99)

 

Jeff Lima

 

DOB                                       04/04/82

Height                                   182cm

Weight                                 107kg

Position                                Prop

Rep Honours                      New Zealand (6)

Previous Clubs                  West Tigers (2004-2005), Melbourne (2006-2010)

First Grade Debut             West Tigers v Manly (25/04/04)